Man Who Killed Returned Missionary Only Wants to Apologize to Her Family Before Being Sent to Prison

A man who pleaded guilty to murder of a recently returned LDS missionary had a message to share with her family.

Sentenced to prison for murdering a vibrant young woman who died when he slammed a stolen car into her, Anthony Santos Cruz wanted only one thing Wednesday: To apologize to her family.

"Mr. Jeppson, I can't even express in words how much sorrow I feel," Cruz said, receiving permission from the judge to turn and briefly face the weeping father. "I'm so sorry that my addictions led me to my actions that led to the loss of Jazmyn. … I am going to try to lead my life so no one else will have to suffer like you have."

Cruz, 28, pleaded guilty in June to murder, a first-degree felony, in the death of 21-year-old Jazmyn Jeppson, who was killed in the violent crash as Cruz fled a series of carjackings. Cruz also admitted to robbery, reduced to a second-degree felony, while two additional charges of aggravated robbery, first-degree felony, were dismissed as part of a deal with prosecutors.